Question detail
Which intermolecular force is primarily responsible for the high boiling point of water?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Bonding
Question
- A. London dispersion forces
- B. Dipole-dipole interactions
- C. Hydrogen bonding
- D. Van der Waals forces
Answer
Hydrogen bonding
Explanation
The high boiling point of water is primarily due to hydrogen bonding, which is a strong type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs between water molecules. This requires more energy to break compared to other intermolecular forces.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Intermolecular Forces
Students often confuse the strength of intermolecular forces with the boiling point of a substance, thinking that all substances with high boiling points have strong intermolecular forces without considering molecular size and shape.
To accurately explain boiling point trends, remember that stronger intermolecular forces lead to higher boiling points, but also consider how molecular size and surface area affect these forces. For example, larger molecules have more surface area for London dispersion forces, which can increase boiling points despite weaker individual interactions.
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